I'm planning on repainting my ms bumper on my 06 whitewaterpearl. after about 6 months, there are 50+ paint chips on my bumper and hood. i was thinking that after the repaint i might install a clear bra (maybe 3M) to protect the bumper from future chips. my question is whether or not the clear bra becomes yellow after a few years with normal washing and waxing? and if so, are there any tips on how to avoid or hinder the yellowing to a point where it isn't unbearable? i've heard that on white cars especially, it is inevitable that the bra will yellow. i've done some research and the 3M bra (according to some installers websites) apparently is removeable and does not yellow. is this true?

hopefully some of the whitewater pearls here have some experience with clear bras.. any input would be greatly appreciated

thanks in advance

 

the 3M clear bra is warrantied not to yellow for 5 years. so if it does before then you can get it fixed. if at any point you don't want your clear bra anymore, you can peel it off yourself.

 

i've always wanted to do this...but then again....the rest of you paint will yellow...and the paint under the clear bra will stay the same color as it was......

so you will have a slightly "newer" look on where the bra was....it gets worse over yrs...

 

I bought an entire kit for my Cobalt on Ebay for about $50...its a 3M product, I put it all on myself and I think it looks great. After 3 months of owning the car I had several rock chips in my bumper, etc. Its definitely worth the money, and about the yellowing, I was told by the 3M guy himself that it may yellow, but he said it takes more like 8 years to do it. And I believe the paint under the film fades as fast as the paint that isn't protected, so there isn't a line after a few years.

 

A word of caution... When I had mine applied by a professional installer, he told me that the manufacturer of my product - Venture Shield - did not recommend installing the clear bra on any body part that had been repainted. The installation process that often calls for applying, pulling some up and then reapplying numerous times in order to get a perfect, smooth, bubble free fit, may pull up the paint from the repainted area. He has had it happen and would only do the application at the owner's risk. The reason is that the repainted area does not adhere as well as the original paint that has been baked on during the manufacturing process. Makes sense to me.
So, if you want to do it yourself, that's your call. If you have an installer do it, I would recommend getting a guarantee that if the paint doesn't hold up, he will pay for a new paint job!

Just a suggestion.

Zoom, Zoom!

 

Ditto on the previous posters comments about applying a clear shield film on newly painted surfaces. I was told the same thing by several different install shops. Although I have used a clear bra product on a red car with great results, and have also seen many nice looking installs on dark colored paints the examples I have seen on white cars left a lot to be desired. It may have just been the manufacturer of the specific film, but the film on the two different white cars I saw had a "very" noticeable impact to color. At the very least I would want to see an example of the specific product on a white car, preferrably with a few years of sun... .

 

I am in bayarea california. I've just installed the clear bra to my new 2007 velocity red mica rx-8 for a month now. It looks great and works perfectly. I commute to work through highway everyday. This product is called "Clear Armor" which is 3M product as well. I would highly recommend to anyone who drives freeway frequently. The installer said black color is the worst because it shows the clear bra. Just my 2 cents.

 

May I ask where you have the clear coat done? And how much was it? I recently purchased a silver 8 and want to put this on. Im in the bayarea too! Thanks!

 

I have a 06 whitewater pearl with the 3M Bra on the front hood. The whole thing is yellow after less than 2 years...

 

just use the oem black bra, it actually gives a car quite a nice prototype look XD... i like it =/ plus no more mazda emblem, it reads RX - 8 and to make it work you have to have the front licence plate mounted (which makes it legal anyway in many states)

EDIT(after seeing ur mazdaspeed kit)
i don't know if it'd fit, but if you can find one, i'd still get some black bra for highway driving and take it off during the weekend o.O... tats wat i do, less dirty working pick up trucks on the weekend than weekday anyway.XD

 

Your installer should replace it for you free of charge. Most clear bra products have a life time guarantee against yellowing. Check your installation paperwork. Mine is almost 3 years old - however on a VR - and it is great. No problems at all.

 

hey, er, calvin/kelvin, did you end up getting a clear bra? how much did it cost and where did you get it done (assuming you did)?

 

it will eventually look yellow on a white vehicle, no way around it ...

on color vehicles it won't show, but white is white and even the slightest hue will stand out badly

 

I had a ClearBra installed several months ago on my WWP. I also have one on my other car, which is white. My RX8 is garaged and I have not seen any discoloration, although it is slightly visible. I used to have a black vinyl Mazda bra and the Clearbra is certainly worlds better in appearance. I would highly recommend it. I would have a professional install it as I had toyed with the idea of DIY, however after seeing the installation, I am glad I hired someone to do it. The installer instaled it in my garage and I watched the whole process. It takes quite a bit of skill and patience for a good install. The installer makes all the difference. The one installed on my other car does not look nearly as good (details) as the one on my RX8, dues to the skill of the installer. All in all, it cost roughly $550 (installation and material) for mirrors, hood, fenders, and front bumper (with appearance package)

I have attached pics to help you see appearance.

 

lol this thread is pretty old.. but thanks for the comments. i just got hit and run on my MS front bumper so i'm looking to get a new one. if i do, i will look for a place that does a good clear bra job, i will only get it if they warranty against yellowing.

 

I've seen one on a SS and it looked yellowish to me... I wouldn't...